25 Times Men’s Lack Of Basic Decency Made Public Spaces Awkward For Women

We all want to move about in our daily lives feeling safe in our environment. However, it's still common even in 2025 for women in public to encounter random men who make inappropriate comments. What makes these men think that their words matter to anyone is baffling, yet they insist on unloading their garbage on unsuspecting females going about their day. These unpleasant interactions usually feature a man saying something unworthy to a woman while she is just living her life while crossing the road, shopping or grabbing a bite. Recently, women of Reddit revisited similar moments in their lives when someone asked, “What’s the creepiest thing a man has ever said to you in public?” Browse below to read all the details of some unforgetable encounters in the gallery below.

#1

Image source: AngelFox1 Strange dude walks up to me and asks me if I use ugly cream. I said no but you obviously do.

#2

Image source: ChronicHoliday, Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo) “You don’t get a view like that every day!” I was ten, and bending down to get something off a lower shelf at the grocery store. I was wearing a new lower cut shirt but forgot to wear my training bra that day. The guy was mid 40s probably. His wife was with him, she looked like she was about to cry. I never wore that shirt again. I did tell my dad after we left the store. He told me what they guy did was sick and wrong, and that next time something like that happened, tell him immediately.

#3

Image source: Donuteria, Esra Afşar / Unsplash (not the actual photo) At work, was taking off my sweater cause it was too hot in the office. By the time I'd hung my sweater over the back of my chair, a colleague (middle aged, I'm 26) whom I'd only seen a few times and had only said 'good morning' to so far, was standing next to my desk and said, "I'll just wait here to see if she continues." (He was talking to my mentor but looking at me.) When I, shocked, said, "Excuse me?" Him: "You're not going to continue?" Me, incredulous at this point: "No." Him, smiling: "That's too bad." After watching him exchange smiles with my mentor, I politely told him that he was very inappropriate and I'd appreciate him not saying things like that again. He said he wouldn't, but that small smile was still on his face like he didn't take it seriously... The creepiest thing about it was how unfazed both him and my mentor seemed by the whole interaction.

#4

Image source: brianaausberlin, aleksandarlittlewolf / freepik (not the actual photo) I worked at a truck stop and needed a driver to sign something, but didn’t have a pen. He was a super gross old fat guy, missing quite a bit of teeth. He said that I could borrow his pen, but then I’d have to get in his truck with him. He was going to lock the doors and I wasn’t allowed to get out. I recoiled in horror as he gave me the most disturbing smile. The thought of raping me and telling me about the fantasy truly made his day.

#5

Image source: bangcamaroxx, cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo) Had an older man ask me to stir his mixed drink with my finger to make it sweeter. This was at a fancy-ish dinner party my family attended. I was 13, this guy was around 50. He went on to make a joke about me eating a sucker later on, something about "blowing pop". Still makes me nauseous after 20 years.

#6

Image source: GimmetheYeetBoys, Jeison Higuita / Unsplash (not the actual photo) I was wearing a Marshall Lee the Vampire King shirt. One old dude told me that he liked my shirt, I said thanks. He then says he likes it because it makes him think about ME biting him. I was shocked. I said nothing. Luckily my friend clapped back and was like "f**k off bro, your wife doesn't even wanna bite you" lol. Glad I had someone there with me.

#7

Image source: batcalls, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) I was in Paris at a Christmas market and a guy came up to me and told me I was very beautiful. Before I could say anything back, he said, "You know, I've been following you for awhile and saw your friends walk away from you. I could kidnap you so quick, they would never see you again." Then he laughs, and my friend, who was only like eight feet away and heard this exchange, pulls my arm and we start fast-walking away. We cut down so many alleys, popped in and out of shops, and got on different trains since it was nearly impossible to know if he was still following us. ETA: there were three of us and while we really have no idea if he had actually been following us for awhile, we assume he had been around long enough to know we spoke English, since he didn't approach me speaking French.

#8

Image source: anon, Cj / Unsplash (not the actual photo) I was in 6th grade and had three boys discuss my breasts in front of me like I wasn’t there. The first boy said I stuffed my bra, the second one came up and explained to him how he could know that I didn’t. The third joined in in the explanation of real vs fake like they were looking at a painting on a wall while I sat there flabbergasted at being noticed in that way. I was 17 and cleaning a window at work(on one knee). Guy, in front of his ~8 yo son- “you like being on your knees?” It happens a lot more the younger women are, creepy guys know that the older we are the less likely we are to stand for that s**t. So if you’re young- who gives a s**t about being polite? Give them a curled lip, raised eyebrow and a well placed “ew” and watch their faces fall.

#9

Image source: billywilly424242, Luiz Rogério Nunes / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Man in club came up to me and said, "just thought I should let you know that you have great birthing hips."

#10

Image source: JunkyardKitty, Omar Lopez / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Had a strange old man ask my 3 year old if she wanted to go home with him.

#11

Image source: BellaDez, Kenny Eliason / Unsplash (not the actual photo) “When you’re 18 I’m going to take you to Europe,” said my Grade 8 teacher.

#12

I was wearing my horse back riding clothes. He held the door for me and said "You can ride me!" when I kept walking into the store ignoring him he screamed after me "Hey B***h! I SAID YOU COULD RIDE ME". This is why we can't have nice things people. Image source: mcwarles

#13

Image source: medicalmystery1395, Image Hunter / Pexels (not the actual photo) This was a guy who had found my Facebook in about half a second (I have no idea how, people I want to give it to can't find it without my help): "so uh how does s*x work for you? Does it hurt you? How do you do it?" He'd found out I was disabled and decided this was an excellent and appropriate conversation piece.

#14

Image source: libre_office_warlock, Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Not so much what was said at first, but the _insistence_ (and continuing to walk with me on my route for like 20 minutes) that I _must_ save his email address. Words alone are creepy on occasion, but it's the absolute worst when there's an element of being trapped.

#15

Image source: mollie7, Jeffrey Czum / pexels (not the actual photo) I was on a tram once, a man (who looked like he was either high or drunk) came over to me and looked at my feet (I was wearing sandals) he then said "can I please hold your foot" and after I said no he quickly grabbed hold of my foot. It was horrifying.

#16

I had rainbow colored hair as a teenager. One time at work a 60+ year old customer said to me, "Does the carpet match the drapes? Never mind, you probably don't have any down there." I've never been so uncomfortable.

#17

Image source: claycardinal I was once stalked by a man who worked in the store that was next to mine and he had told me that he made his Skyrim character to look like me.

#18

Image source: Dawnimal1969, David Vives / Unsplash (not the actual photo) “Merry Christmas, baby” while grabbing my a*s in Times Square. It was the summer.

#19

Image source: anon, ArthurHidden / freepik (not the actual photo) I was young, probably like 19. I went into a gas station to pay, and the clerk said to me “ look at you dressed like a little s**t.” I was in a skirt & shirt. I was really shocked, and the only one I the store. when I didn’t say anything back he said “you get off turning men on don’t you?” I got so scared. I also lacked the confidence back then to shut it down. Thank god someone else walked in and the clerk gave me back my change and I went on my way. OH - and once when I was a teen I was waiting for my mom at a store. I decided to swing my bare feet out the window and lay back and nap. All of a sudden I felt someone tickling my feet!!! It was a old man. So so creepy.

#20

Image source: anon, pvproductions / freepik (not the actual photo) “You’re gonna get spanking” in a sing song tone. I was working at a mom and pop burger joint and made a silly mistake. I was 19 at the time, the dude in question was 60/70. When I got embarrassed he acted proud of himself and stated “look how red she’s turning!”.

#21

Image source: UnicornTurtle_, Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo) Told me to smile more coz it makes him and his "little buddy" happy.

#22

Image source: anon, freepik (not the actual photo) "You don't look 13, I want your number."

#23

Image source: borderline_cat, Tim Mossholder / Unsplash (not the actual photo) “If I was in my twenties, you’d be in trouble!” Said a creepy elderly man to me at a gas station after asking my age. I was very, very, VERY uncomfortable. ETA: I just want to say I’m so sorry for all of you who commented experiencing something similar or worse (from a family member and at a young age). It’s disgusting the things some grown men say/do to children and women. I’m glad all of you have the courage to open up about these experiences. ❤️.

#24

Image source: wannalife, Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo) I was working, doing the whole “how are you” bit to a customer. He said “If I was any better I’d be twins.” Normal so far. “And they’d be female. And hot like you.” Sir, do you mean to tell me you’d want to bang your twin sister?

#25

Image source: anon, Tara Clark / Pexels (not the actual photo) I got followed through Walmart and the guy kept passing by me and every time he would whisper “god you’re* so beautiful. I love you” Edit: spelling Edit 2: he followed me to check out, and circled the parking lot to see what car I got in. I flashed my gun while loading my groceries and then he left. I went a different way home and was so paranoid of being followed, but I wasn’t. I was also 20weeks pregnant. Scariest moment of my life.